Inspiration: What Inspires You…?
“Enthusiasm is excitement with inspiration, motivation, and a pinch of creativity.” Bo Bennett
Inspiration: What Inspires You...? Beauty in nature & enthusiasm for life...
What inspires you? Where do you find inspiration? Inspiration is a word we often toss around casually, and maybe take for granted when it comes easily to us. There are days when we wake up and feel like the fountain has dried up or that our ideas are foggy. Then, there are those days when everything falls into place like clockwork, and we are pulled in, inspired by many things; from the movement of the tiniest ant to the orange yellow glow of a setting sun.
What inspires us to create? to contribute? to communicate? There are many things that trigger an inspirational moment; some are fleeting and others constant. Meditation, music, prayer, and sad, poignant moments always inspire me in some fashion. Nature, great food, and powerful conversations on the human condition can do the trick too. What inspires me? you? us? Nature, Music, Faith, Beauty, Prayer, Injustice, Love, Humor, Passion for Life, Acts of Courage… “There was injustice and I felt compelled to fight it…”
“You are the embodiment of the information you choose to accept and act upon. To change your circumstances you need to change your thinking and subsequent actions.” Aldin Sinclair
Inspiration: What Inspires You...? Music and Service to others.
Marsha Ambrosius – I Hope She Cheats
For this post, I flashed back to a recent article I read in the NYTimes; Cindy Sherman Unmasked. It was about the photographer, Cindy Sherman, who loves to visit thrift shops for inspiration. I loved the piece because it was a reminder that inspirational moments occur for each of us in its own way. It is neither contrived nor controlled. We cannot dictate the terms of our inspirational trigger, nor can we possess it like an expensive toy to be whipped out when we want to impress our neighbors.
Inspiration comes and it goes, and the greater lesson is to be present to express it when the moment arrives…What inspires me? you? us? Our Children, Family, Directness, Reading, Creative Writing, Great conversation, Exquisite Food, Desire for Freedom, Pain, Friendships, Romance, Great Movies, Altruism…“There was hate and I felt compelled to replace it with love…” More Below 😉
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” Lao Tzu
Inspiration: What Inspires You...? Passion for life and unconditional love
Definition of INSPIRATION: A divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation b: The action or power of moving the intellect or emotions c: The act of influencing or suggesting opinions d: The act of drawing in; specifically : the drawing of air into the lungs e: The quality or state of being inspired f: Something that is inspired g: An inspiring agent or influence. Merrian-Webster Dictionary
When we look at the dictionary definitions above, it gives us additional insight into the realm of the divine; the source of much that inspires. It is also telling in that it acknowledges the fact that inspiration comes not only from that ethereal, subtle or sublime place within, but also from the simple act of taking a breath, being alone in our space for quiet contemplation, standing up for what we believe is right, and pausing to express our gratitude for the good around us.
Whenever I’ve had a chance to speak to someone who has truly fired up the world with their acts of courage and inspiration, the answer I hear first is: “There was a need and I felt compelled to meet it…” Where is there a need in our area? in our lives? in the lives of others around us? Are we ready to do something to meet it? Now, that is one of the keys to the fountain of inspiration. “There was oppression and I felt compelled to end it…”
What about you? What are your thoughts? Where do you find inspiration? What inspires you? Do you have dry days? Do share! Thank you. 🙂
This post was inspired by a prompt from Soul Pancake: What inspires you? And WP Daily Post: On Creativity.
Positive Motivation Tip: There is much to inspire us; from the tiniest ant to the setting sun… Our eyes must be open first.
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos Music Inspires, Courage is Contagious, via Wikipedia. Inspirational Sunset by I am Marlon, via Flickr
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
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People doing great things against the severest of circumstances inspires me…the relentless drive to achieve and do good regardless of the stifling circumstances is one of the greatest abilities of human beings we all have, but seldom exercise.
You’re so right, our eyes MUST be fully open but there are so many people who live with eyes half shut and miss out on so much.
Inspiration can come from anywhere, anyone. Some days it just appears. Other days you have to look really hard to find it.
As I was approaching 50, I felt strongly I wasn’t doing what I as suppose to be doing. I was a little bit of this and a little bit of that and had no clear direction of what it was I was ‘to be’.
I hired a life coach and through that process, which by the way, was the most fantastic self-journey I have taken and best money ever spent, I realized I was doing what I wanted to do all along.
It’s not big. It won’t go up in lights. No one will ever write an article about me or make a movie. And all that is okay.
Every day, I genuinely want to help someone. That’s it. That is my inspiration. That is my mark. That is the thing that brings me complete joy.
Though I do it with not wanting anything in return, I have now learned to give without being taken advantage of.
When I lay my head upon my pillow at night, I think of the one thing that I did to brighten someone else’s day. My soul then becomes at peace.
Inspiration is all around us. We just have to be open to seeing it, and to accept it.
Many things inspire me but I believe the more we honor the gifts we’re given the more inspiration we find.
Thanks!
b
I’m indpired by courage and compassion and beauty too. I love the tone of your post and your writing inspires me all the time.
B
What inspires me?…nature 🙂
For me the more active I am the more inspired I am…lately my activity level has been limited and my inspiration has been the same. Thanks for the encouraging post…I think I am almost caught up with everyones posts!
What an interesting question! I think I’m inspired when I hear of people who persevere with hope when they have lost a lot. I’m thinking of friends who have had a really tough time, lost their homes and jobs and in some instances their health, but they find joy in each day. I find them quite amazing, and wonderful examples of hope…this inspires me to be in touch with the blessings of each and every day! Love this, Elizabeth. Debra
Great post, Elizabeth! I get inspired by so many things — even simple things give me ideas.
YOU! 🙂
Yes, Eliz, you do inspire me…with your beautiful photography, wonderful quotes and thoughtful words.
I simply want to pass along my smile, reach out with love to those I meet and listen to those who need to be heard. And encourage and empower parents to do the same with their chiildren. 🙂
me? your blog!
I get inspired by everything surrounding me, by every little detail. The world is my inspiration.
Loving life and sharing my blessings keep me inspired. Reading your blog does the same too.
B
Mmmm… I am inspired by people. I am inspired by stories. I am inspired by God’s grand design….
Being outdoors with nature is my greatest inspiration
The birds sitting on the alligator has totally inspired me to charge ahead in using the gifts He has given me! Wonderfully encouraging and post–most inspiring. I often get inspired here in our wonderful Blogland!
Glad I found this Blog! Love the pictures and comments. I was researching for my website and Blogs and stumbled upon this. I’ll be back!
Thank you and I see you are a SITS Girl too. I love your site too. I usually don’t approve comments without people’s names (cut back on spam) but you do great work. Keep it up! TY!